Web 2.0 Innovations in Events: Human Resource Management Issues

This chapter explores how the adoption of Web 2.0 social media platforms as information communications technology (ICT) innovations is impacting organizational design, culture, and human resource management (HRM) in events. Individuals responsible for the development and implementation of social media in 12 event organizations were interviewed regarding its adoption and how it impacts work in their organizations. Three types of innovation adopters were identified: spontaneous activists, spontaneous reactors, and organized initiators. The findings demonstrate that the use of social media in event organizations is impacting event workers by creating role overload and ambiguity. This chapter discusses implications for event organizations and their employees in terms of HRM policy, performance management, workforce skill development, recruitment, and retention.